Obverse: A black cross patee edged with silver with a swastica in the centre and date "1939" at base of lower limb. Reverse: The date "1813" at base of lower limb. Silver edges. Fitted with a loop and ring and a red ribbon with stripes of white and black at each edge.

The Iron Cross was established by King Friedrich Wilhelm II of Prussia in 1813. All World War II crosses contain a swastika and on the reverse of the 1870, 1914 and 1939 crosses is inscribed 1813. The Iron Cross is only awarded in wartime.